-As they signed a crucial peace manifesto.
By: Jerromie S. Walters
Ahead of the October 10, 2023, presidential and legislative elections, hundreds of women from across Liberia have concluded a three-day peace summit, that aptly geared towards providing a cross-segment of Liberian women the space to consult, reflect and strategize pathways in ensuring peaceful elections comes October.
During the intrinsically nurtured engagements, tagged “The Liberian Women’s Peace Summit (LWPS,” it goals were enraged around significant outputs that include the identification of key issues affecting peaceful elections and women’s participation, and establishment of the Liberian Women Manifesto for Peace.
On Thursday, August 17, 2023, the women, who included state actors, aspirants, members of the Liberian Women Mass Action for Peace, the Liberia Crusaders for Peace, and several others, committed themselves by signing the Liberian Women Manifesto for Peace, at the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Ministerial Complex in Congo, Liberia, under the leadership of Nobel Peace Laureates President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and Leymah RobertaGbowee.
While recognizing the need for women to be actively engaged in politics and all political processes, the women highlighted that it is also incumbent upon them to show leadership during the process by engaging constructively and peacefully across party lines.
With this, the manifesto firstly points out the significance of maintaining a sense of unity amongst Liberians, as a genuine guarantee of keeping the existing peace.
“We, the women of Liberia, have come together in Monrovia under the leadership of Nobel Peace Laureates President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and Leymah Roberta Gbowee, to appeal to all Liberians that what binds us together is greater than what divides us”.
It continues, “We must unite as we did twenty years ago to make war and violence implausible. We call on all citizens and participants in the political process to shun violence in all shapes and forms, and respect the dignity and life of every person within the borders of our land”.
As an assurance of concurring with the manifesto, they noted, “We commit to working for non-violent engagement as the only means to resolve conflict arising during and after elections.”
“We commit to ensuring that the human rights of every person participating in elections will be respected and upheld. We declare all women and people differently abled have the right to run for political office and to participate in all aspects of the political process, without harm or threat of violence.”
More to the above, they pledged, “We will work to respect and defend the rights of every person to express their views and align with any political group they desire without fear of intimidation.”
Witt this, they expect the National Elections Commission and political parties to ensure compliance to the principles of free, fair and peaceful democratic elections.
“We call upon the National Elections Commission and political parties to abide by the UN Economic and Social Council Resolution 1990/15 which calls for 30% women in all leadership processes.”
Moreover, the women asserted that they strongly expect political parties to abide by and promote amongst their partisans the edicts of the Farmington Decaration and the Violence AgainstWomen in Elections and Politics (VAWIE/P) Protocol.
As a means of effectuate the beauty of the judiciary, they called for the timely and robust prosecution of perpetrators of violence against women in politics and elections, ensuring women’s speedy access to justice.
“We are resolved to use our voices to amplify and disseminate the messages of peace via the media, social media, and in all public spaces including schools and places of worship across Liberia.”
As revealed by the Manifesto, the women are of the belief that they must remember the country’s past and work with all their might and take ownership and accountability to sustain the peace, as their children and the future of Liberia lie ín their hands.
“We recognize that Peace is not just the absence of war but the presence of conditions that dignify all. Hence, we are committed to imbibing the Culture of Peace amongst all Liberians, whilst promoting reconciliation within the borders of Liberia and in the diaspora. This we believe will contribute to sustainable development and improve the life of all. This is our commitment now and beyond the electoral period,” the Manifesto disclosed.
The women recalled that From 1989 to 2003, Liberia was embroiled in one of the deadliest civil wars Africa has witnessed. “Over 250,000 people lost their lives, one million were internally displaced and about 500,000 were made refugees in various countries across the world, especially in the West African sub-region.”
As the world watched, they reflected that “Women and girls bore the greatest brunt of the war. Sexual violence was used as a tool of war in many regions across the country.”
“Twenty years since the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA), Liberia remains one of the best examples of peacebuilding in Africa.”
Therefore, as Liberia moves towards elections this year on October 10, 2023, they said there is general public opinion that immediate actions need to be employed to stop and minimize the risk of relapse into violence.
“In early April 2023, widespread violence was recorded in District 10 by supporters of the ruling establishment and opposition”. They referenced that at the beginning of the campaign season, there have also been sparks of violence in various districts in Monrovia.
Besides, women candidates have not been spared from this violence, and the women believe the country is currently at a point where democracy can continue to be strengthened or destroyed.
“Twenty years into our peace process – in which Liberian women played a vital role – it is imperative that women continue to show leadership in the peace building and sustaining process.”
Consequently, the Women of Liberia issue the following manifesto, as a written statement declaring publicly their views and intentions for peaceful elections in October of this year.
The Liberian Women’s Peace Summit (LWPS) provided structured consultations for Liberian women to gather, discussed critical issues for peaceful elections in 2023, and articulated a position statement for public release.
